SPORT will play a major role in Canberra’s Centenary celebrations next year, and rightly so.

The role played by our sportsmen and women in showcasing to the rest of the country that Canberra is not just about Federal politics cannot be underestimated.

The Raiders’ breakthrough victory in 1989 is seen by many as the catalyst, but there are other key moments: the Cannons’ dominance in the NBL; the Capitals in the WNBL; the Brumbies’ two titles; Canberra United in the W League; and before this, there was the memorable win by the ACT Australian Rules team over Victoria.

Getting a handle on how to honour sport in 2013 isn’t easy, but while it would be great to have a range of events, the real essence of Canberra sport is the role played by participants and volunteers.

Therefore, it is heartening to see plans from the sports umbrella organisations to bring about community-based events.

One concept involves a tribute to water sports, giving us a chance to recognise swimmers such as David Dixon, Dimity Douglas and Angela Kennedy; water skiers such as Sharon Stekelenburg; sailors such as Mathew Owen and those who guided Brindabella to victory in the 1997 Sydney to Hobart; John Fox in water polo – and the list goes on.

But it also provides an opportunity to recognise the role volunteers have played in allowing sportspeople to achieve their goals.

Another proposal put forward by ACT Sport is a series of events paying tribute to the role that women have played. There are many who deserve recognition including Heather McKay, who won 16 British Open squash titles in a row; the Powell sisters and Loretta Dorman in hockey; Sally McCreedy who went on to play more than 350 softball internationals for Australia; Carrie Graf, Lauren Jackson and all in women’s basketball; Susan Hobson in running; Julie Murray and Sasha Wainwright in women’s football; and the many others.

While the emphasis in the minds of many is the here and now, the past should not be forgotten and next year gives Canberra a real chance to recognise the role played by sportspeople from previous generations and those who have contributed behind the scenes – no sport would exist without them.